Flagstaff Hill Fort facts for kids
Flagstaff Hill Fort was once a military fort located at Flagstaff Point in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. It was built a long time ago to protect Wollongong Harbour from possible attacks.
Contents
History of Flagstaff Hill Fort
Why the Fort Was Built
The fort was constructed between 1890 and 1891. It was designed to hold a special type of cannon called a 'disappearing gun'. Workers dug out the hill and built brick walls, then covered the tunnels with earth. The main goal was to replace older cannons and protect Wollongong Harbour from a possible attack by Russian ships.
The First Cannons
Before this fort, in 1879, three large cannons arrived in Wollongong. These were 68-pounder cannons, meaning they fired shells weighing about 68 lb (31 kg). They could shoot a shell up to 1.6 kilometers (about 1 mile) away. For 18 months, these cannons sat unused because they didn't have mounts or ammunition. Eventually, local volunteer soldiers placed them near where the fort is now. Today, Endeavour Drive covers their original spot.
The New, Bigger Gun
By the mid-1880s, it became clear that the old cannons weren't strong enough. Enemy ships could shoot at the port from too far away for the old guns to reach. So, in 1890, a much larger gun was placed in a concrete pit near the top of Flagstaff Hill. Underground rooms were built to protect the ammunition and the soldiers operating the gun. This new gun was first fired in 1892. It had two special spots to help measure distances for accurate shooting. By 1893, even more defenses were added at Smiths Hill Fort, which is west of the Harbour.
Lighthouse Near the Fort
Later, in 1938, the Wollongong Head Lighthouse was built very close to the fort.
Armaments
The main weapon at Flagstaff Hill Fort was a large 6-inch (150mm) gun, which weighed 5.3 tons. This was a powerful cannon for its time.
Images for kids
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A similar 6-inch gun that was mounted at Fort Lytton.
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Main entrance to Flagstaff Hill Fort.
